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Welcome to the most comprehensive Pitt Panthers Game Day Preview on the internet! This is your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about Pitt and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich of Pittsburgh SportsNation brings you inside the huddle for both teams, providing all fans with a Game Preview, Pitt’s Keys to Victory, Score Prediction, a detailed breakdown of each team, Game Information, Individual Stats, and Team Stats. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff! The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform!
PANTHERS RUNNING GAME UP TO THE CHALLENGE AGAINST CAVS DEFENSE
Strength will meet strength on Friday night in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the Pitt Panthers (4-4, 3-1), who are averaging 227.9 yards on the ground, face a #25 Virginia Cavalier (6-2, 4-1) defense only giving up 113.
“Miami got stuffed down there. Louisville got stuffed down there,” Pitt offensive line coach Dave Borbely said of their upcoming opponent. “Short yardage, (almost) nobody’s gotten a first down (against Virginia). North Carolina did. They had to spread them out to do it.”
Both teams mentioned only gained a total of 215 vs the Cavs.
“The thing that jumps out for me, they jump off the ball,” he said. “They attack the line of scrimmage as well as anybody we’ve played. It will be a challenge for us.”
It’s expected to be a rainy affair Friday night, so Pitt is looking forward to the challenge.
“We’re going to do what we do,” Borbely said. “Every week, we have to make people match us. I never want to go into a game and have to match their speed and their tempo. We want to try and set the tone and the tempo and the physicality each week.”
The Panther offense looks as if it is heating up at the right time as only four games remain.
“Tremendously improved,” Borbely said. “The really cool thing is last Tuesday (before the Duke game), we had zero mental errors in practice. In the Duke game, we had one mental error.
“That’s really how practice has been for the most part. They have a great handle on the offense now. As compared to Penn State (Sept. 8), we probably had 15 mental errors. We had 214 yards before halftime and only blocked about half of it right.”
Pitt gouged Duke for 484 yards last week.
Emerging out of nowhere was V’lique Carter, who had been listed as a DB. Against Duke, Carter ran for 113 yards and scored twice.
“He was the first in races,” junior cornerback Dane Jackson said. “He always had that speed. When he came in, he was a little upset he wasn’t seeing the field right away, but he kept working. It didn’t discourage him, and look at him now.”
Carter is hoping to continue his contributions in the Panther offense.
“He’s a tough, gritty guy, very athletic,” secondary coach Archie Collins said. “You could see that from Day 1 when he came in here. I’ve been happy for him and his success because his main goal, he wants to get on the field, somehow, some way, and that’s what he showed last weekend.
“What you saw last week was something he showed on the scout team (in practice) week in and week out. We all kind of knew it.”
As did the head coach of the Panthers.
“I told the TV crew on Friday morning to watch out for V’Lique Carter,” Pat Narduzzi said of his freshman. It goes into those four games. If he keeps doing that for the next three, he’ll be playing a fifth, maybe a sixth.”
As good as the running game looked, the defense, which was showing signs of improvement, took a few steps backwards vs the Blue Devils.
“There were a lot of great things to take from it,” Narduzzi said, “and a lot of things we need to get a lot better if we expect to continue to move on and win games in this league.”
Injuries to Keyshon Camp and Quintin Wirginis haven’t helped. Still, Narduzzi wasn’t going to offer excuses.
“It’s guys wanting to do somebody else’s job,” Narduzzi said.
Communications issues have also plagued the team.
“One bust in the back end where it’s poor communication on a big screen pass to the tailback,” he said. “Total flat miscommunication where 10 guys are doing the right thing, and one guy makes the wrong call to a corner, and you got a big play.”
Pitt allowed an astounding 619 yards against Duke, just 57 short of the team record set last year against Oklahoma State.
The winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat for the ACC Coastal crown and a place in the ACC Championship Game.
“Pitt is a unique challenge. They are very physical and a tough football team,” Cavs head coach Bronco Mendenhall said of the Panthers. “You have to be really sound in your fundamentals. Your eye control has to be good because of the nature of the run-game. This will be a competitive match-up.”
One guy who will challenge the Panther defense will be Cavs quarterback Bryce Perkins.
“Perkins is a guy that makes it go on offense,” Narduzzi said. “He gets it done.”
Perkins has thrown for over 1,600 yards and has eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground three times already while totaling 21 touchdowns.
Pitt Keys to Victory
Offense
- Continue to be unpredictable in the running game.
- Kenny Pickett needs to be more accurate.
- No turnovers.
Defense
- Bryce Perkins has to be shadowed. Keep him in the pocket.
- Bring the heat to Perkins, who has been sacked 21 times.
Prediction
It looks as if it’s going to be an ugly rainy night when these two teams face off Friday night. As good as Virginia’s run defense is, that type of weather will no doubt favor the rushing attack of the Panthers, who will roll out the likes of Qadree Ollison, Darrin Hall, Maurice Ffrench, V’Lique Carter, and perhaps a few other wrinkles in their game plan to defeat the Cavaliers. It would be nice to see Kenny Pickett elevate his game in the passing department, but if Pitt can control the clock and dominate the trenches in this one, they will walk out of Scott Stadium with their destiny squarely in their hands for the final three games of the year.
Pitt 34 Virginia 31
Game Information
NCAA Week 10
Pitt Panthers at Virginia Cavaliers
Venue: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA.
Game-time: Friday, November 2nd, 7:30 pm
TV: ESPN 2 | Announcers: Clay Matvick (play-by-play) Dan Orlovsky (analyst) | Paul Carcaterra (reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan | Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Pat Bostick (analyst) | Larry Richert (sideline)
National Radio: N/A | Announcers:
Sirius XM Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 108, XM Channel 193, Internet Channel 955
Weather at Kickoff: 65 with a 95% chance of rain.
Vegas Line: Virginia -7.5
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Pitt vs Virginia History
- Series History: Began in 1953
- Pitt is 7-3 in the series vs Virginia.
- Pitt is 2-2 on road vs Virginia.
- Streak: Pitt won last three games.
- Last Regular Season Meeting: Oct. 28, 2017 (Pitt won 31-14)
Game Notes*
- Against Duke, the Panthers literally ran to victory, amassing 484 yards on the ground. The rushing total marked Pitt’s highest since the Tony Dorsett era when it had a record 530 vs. Army in 1975.
- Freshman V’Lique Carter was dazzling in his college debut last week against Duke. Carter ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries, an incredible average of 19.6 per rush.
- With 795 total rushing yards this season, Qadree Ollison ranks third among ACC ball carriers. (His average of 99.4 yards per game also ranks third.) Ollison is striving to become only the sixth player in Pitt history to achieve multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
- Only a sophomore, placekicker Alex Kessman has the most 50-yard field goals in Pitt history with five. Three of those kicks occurred this season, including a critical 54-yarder in last week’s Duke victory.
*Courtesy of pittsburghpanthers.com
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A look at the Pitt Panthers!
- Overall Record: 4-4 | ACC Record: 3-1 | Rank: N/A
- Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi (4th Season with Pitt)
- Lifetime Record: 25-21 (.543)
- 2018 Pitt Panthers Roster
- Pitt Team Statistics, including Defensive Stats
- Last Week: Pitt 54 Duke 45
Scouting the Panthers
Quarterback
Kenny Pickett played in four games last year, making one start as a true freshman. Gifted with a strong arm and the ability to run with the ball if no receivers are open. Must work on accuracy and decision making. Jeff George has risen to the #2 spot.
Running Backs
Darrin Hall and Qadree Ollison give the Panthers a 1-2 punch out of the backfield. Consider Hall lightning to Ollison’s thunder. George Aston is back at fullback after missing most of 2017. Aston was a beast in 2016 finishing third on the team in scoring (tied) with 60 points on 10 touchdowns (five rushing and five receiving). A.J. Davis will see plenty of time as well, and is excellent out of the backfield catching short passes from Pickett.
Wide Receivers
Pitt is deep at WR, with Rafael-Araujo Lopes, juniors Tre Tipton, Maurice Ffrench, and Aaron Mathews, freshman Shocky Jacques-Louis, and Indiana transfer Taysir Mack, a sophomore who excelled in the Blue-Gold Game this past Spring. Mack played in 12 games, starting eight contests in 2017 for the Hoosiers…had 23 receptions for 310 yards (13.5 avg.) and three touchdowns.
Tight Ends
At tight end, sophomore Tyler Sear transferred out, leaving the job to Arkansas transfer Will Gragg. This position needs utilized more often.
X-Factor
Look for the versatile Paris Ford to see snaps at H-Back for the Panthers as Jordan Whitehead was known to do for the past two years. Ford is a threat to make a difference every time he touches the ball. V’lique Carter was unleashed against Duke and ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries, an incredible average of 19.6 per rush!
Defense
Dewayne Hendrix and Rashad Weaver are solidified as Pitt’s defensive ends.
Senior Shane Roy was a starter at nose tackle last year, Amir Watts and redshirt sophomore Keyshon Camps to see time as well. Jaylen Twyman, has been pushing the whole group as a redshirt freshman.
At LB, Oluwaseun Idowu is the starting outside “star” linebacker. Quintin Wirginis was the starter in the middle till he was injured at mid season at practice. Redshirt senior Elijah Zeise and redshirt junior Saleem Brightwell battling for the “money” spot.
Redshirt junior Dane Jackson started all 12 games last year and will assume the same duties as a starting cornerback in 2018. Redshirt senior Phillipie Motley, sophomores Damarri Mathis and Jason Pinnock, and redshirt freshman Paris Ford are all battling for that 2nd spot.
Junior Damar Hamlin starts at free safety, with Dennis Briggs and redshirt sophomore Phil Campbell battling for the starting role at strong safety.
Placekicker
Alex Kessman took over Pitt’s starting placekicking duties in his first active season…converted 11-of-19 field goals (58%) and 34-of-34 PATs (100%) for a team-high 67 points. He’s been a little inconsistent at times, but has nailed three field goals from beyond 50 yards, including a Heinz Field record 55 yarder.
Kick/Punt Return
Maurice Ffrench and Rafael Araujo-Lopes will provide the return duties for the Panthers. Ffrench has already returned two kicks to the house in 2018.
Individual Stats
Quarterback
- Kenny Pickett (1,156 yards passing | 7 TD passes | 5 interceptions | 15 sacks | 152 yards rushing | 3 rushing TD)
Running Back
- Qadree Ollison (795 yards rushing | 7 rushing TD’s | 10 receptions | 50 yards receiving | 0 receiving TD’s)
- Darrin Hall (429 yards rushing | 4 rushing TD’s | 8 receptions | 51 yards receiving | 0 receiving TD’s)
- V’Lique Carter (137 yards rushing | 2 rushing TD’s | 0 receptions | 0 yards receiving | 0 receiving TD’s)
- AJ Davis (103 yards rushing | 0 rushing TD’s | 3 receptions | 17 yards receiving | 0 receiving TD’s)
Fullback
- George Aston (2 yards rushing | 0 rushing TD’s | 13 receptions | 60 yards receiving | 1 receiving TD’s)
Wide Receivers
- Rafael Araujo-Lopes (20 receptions | 216 receiving yards | 3 receiving TD’s | 17 yards rushing | 0 TD’s)
- Maurice Ffrench (19 receptions | 294 receiving yards | 4 receiving TD’s | 101 yards rushing | 1 TD’s)
- Taysir Mack (12 receptions | 265 receiving yards | 0 receiving TD’s)
- Aaron Matthews (7 receptions | 76 receiving yards | 0 receiving TD’s)
- Shocky Jaques-Louis (8 receptions | 70 receiving yards | 0 receiving TD’s | 58 yards rushing | 0 TD’s)
- Dontavius Butler-Jenkins (4 receptions | 12 receiving yards | 0 receiving TD’s | 0 yards rushing | 0 TD’s)
- Tre Tipton (3 receptions | 20 receiving yards | 0 receiving TD’s)
Tight Ends
- Will Gragg (4 receptions | 28 receiving yards | 0 receiving TD’s)
- Tyler Sear (2 receptions | 9 receiving yards | 0 receiving TD’s)
- Jim Medure (1 receptions | 15 receiving yards | 0 receiving TD’s)
Placekicker
- Alex Kessman (Extra Point: 25-26 | FG: 7-10 | 0-19: 0-0 | 20-29: 1-1 | 30-39: 1-3 | 40-49: 2-3 | 50+: 3-3 | Long: 55)
Kickoff Returner
- Maurice Ffrench (26.9 yards per kickoff return | 2 return TD’s)
Punt Returner
- Rafael Araujo-Lopes (8.6 yards per punt return | 1 return TD’s)
A look at the Virginia Cavaliers!
- Overall Record: 6-2 | ACC Record: 4-1 | Rank: #25
- Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhall (3rd Season with Virginia)
- Lifetime Record: 113-62 (.645) | 14-19 (.424) with Virginia
- 2018 Virginia Cavaliers Roster
- Virginia Team Statistics, including Defensive Stats
- Last Week: Virginia 31 UNC 21
Scouting the Cavaliers
Quarterback
Bryce Perkins is a dual threat QB, passing for 1,623 yards with 15 touchdowns, to go with 575 yards rushing and another six scores. He has been sacked 21 times.
Running Back
Jordan Ellis is the bell cow for the Cavs. Ellis has 683 yards in 2018 with six TD’s.
Wide Receivers
Olamide Zaccheaus is the top guy at wide-out for Virginia. Zaccheaus has amassed 56 receptions, good for 690 yards and six TD’s. Hasise Dubois and Joe Reed are Perkins’ #2 and #3 choice behind the talented Zaccheaus.
Tight Ends
Evan Butts has 12 catches for 105 yards so far.
Defense
Virginia allows 18.8 points per game, but Duke was only giving up one point more before surrendering 54 to the Panthers last week. The Cavs are stingy vs the run, allowing just 113.0 yards on the ground to rank 20th in the nation and fourth in the ACC.
Individual Stats
Quarterback
- Bryce Perkins (1,623 yards passing | 15 TD passes | 8 interceptions | 21 sacks | 575 yards rushing | 6 rushing TD)
Running Back
- Jordan Ellis (683 yards rushing | 7 rushing TD’s | 3 receptions | 21 yards receiving | 0 receiving TD’s)
Wide Receivers
- Olamide Zaccheaus (56 receptions | 690 receiving yards | 6 receiving TD’s)
- Hasise Dubois (32 receptions | 360 receiving yards | 3 receiving TD’s)
- Joe Reed (15 receptions | 229 receiving yards | 2 receiving TD’s)
Tight Ends
- Evan Butts (12 receptions | 105 receiving yards | 2 receiving TD’s)
Placekicker
- Brian Delaney (Extra Point: 7-7 | FG: 6-8 | 0-19: 0-0 | 20-29: 1-1 | 30-39: 3-4 | 40-49: 2-2 | 50+: 0-1 | Long: 46)
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Pitt – Virginia: Offense vs Defense Match-Ups
Pitt Total Offense: Pitt averages 374.3 YPG | Virginia allows 327.4 YPG
Rushing: Pitt averages 227.9 YPG | Virginia allows 113 YPG
Passing: Pitt averages 146.4 YPG | Virginia allows 214.4 YPG
Scoring: Pitt averages 28 PPG | Virginia allows 18.8 PPG
Pitt Total Defense: Pitt allows 436 YPG | Virginia averages 390.8 YPG
Rushing: Pitt allows 185.5 YPG | Virginia averages 186 YPG
Passing: Pitt allows 250.5 YPG | Virginia averages 204.8 YPG
Scoring: Pitt allows 32.6 PPG | Virginia averages 28.3 PPG
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Injury Report (10/31/2018)
Pitt Panthers
- Out: LB Quintin Wirginis (Knee), DL Keyshon Camp (Upper Body)
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: None
- Probable: DL Jaylen Twyman (Foot), WR Taysir Mack (Foot)
Virginia Cavaliers
- Out: None
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: CB Tim Harris (Unknown), S Joey Blount (Foot), LB Malcolm Cook (Unknown)
- Probable: LB Jordan Mack (Unknown)
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ACC Standings
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Pitt Panthers 2018 Schedule
Regular Season (Overall: 4-4 | ACC: 3-1)
Sept. 1 Albany (ACCNE) | W- 33-7
Sept. 8 #14 Penn State (ABC) | L- 51-6
Sept. 15 Georgia Tech* (RSN) | W- 24-19
Sept. 22 at North Carolina* | L- 38-35
Sept. 29 at #12 UCF | L- 45-14
Oct. 6 #19 Syracuse* (HC) | W- 44-37
Oct. 13 at #4 Notre Dame | L- 19-14
Oct. 27 Duke* | W- 54-45
Nov. 2 (Fri.) at #25 Virginia* (ESPN2) at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 10 Virginia Tech* at TBA
Nov. 17 at Wake Forest* at TBA
Nov. 24 at Miami* at TBA
*ACC game / (HC) Homecoming / Ranking as of this week
Bold = Home Game
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
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